07 April 2016

The attractions (and distractions)
of a chaplaincy training course

Two certificates arrived earlier this week (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2016)

Patrick Comerford

Last month, I completed the Chaplaincy Training Programmes in the Dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough. Over 20 people took part in the course this year, including priests, readers and school and hospital chaplains, both lay and ordained, from throughout the dioceses.

The Chaplaincy Training Programmes are run in association with Northridge House Education and Research Centre, which is based in Cork, and are facilitated by the Revd Bruce Pierce and the Revd Dr Daniel Nuzum.

The courses that ran throughout last month were held in Taney Parish Centre, Dundrum, and on one Friday morning there was the added attraction (or distraction) of climbing the bell tower in Christ Church, Taney, with the Revd Nigel Pierpoint. From the top of the tower, high above the Luas Bridge in Dundrum at the start of the day, there were panoramic views across the city, out into Dublin Bay, and over to Howth Head, with the Dublin and Wicklow Mountains rising behind us.

Then earlier this week, two certificates arrived in the post. One certificate covers the module on the Protection of the Vulnerable Older Adult. The other certificate relates to the nine modules on Reflective Practice, Introduction to Loss, Introduction to Listening Skills, Best Practice, Suicide, Dementia Care, Perinatal Bereavement, Resources for Ministry and Hand Hygiene.

I am back in Taney Parish later this month, on 24 April 2016, to preach in both Christ Church, Taney, and Saint Nahi’s Church, Dundrum, at services marking the 100th anniversary of the Easter Rising in 1916.

The view from the tower of Christ Church, Taney, across Dublin Bay and out to Howth Head (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2016)